Desiccant capsule and package embodying the same

ABSTRACT

A capsule of a synthetic moisture-permeable material such as cellulose acetate contains a desiccant material such as calcium oxide and has an adhesive surface which is applied to the interior of a container whereby the capsule is exposed to moisture in the container or in the contents thereof but with the capsule attached to an interior container wall to prevent the same from being commingled with the contents of the container.

United States Patent [191 Cullen [451' Mar. 27, 1973 DESICCANT CAPSULEAND PACKAGE 3,138,432 6/1964 Kleinhans ..206/.5

EMB DYIN THE SAW 0 V a ,7 V .t FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76]Inventor: John S. Cullen, 138 Wesley Avenue, 1 246 918 10/1960 F ranceBuffalo T 14214 497,852 12/1938 Great Britain ..55/38? [22] Filed: Dec.10, 1970 Primary EtxaminerBemard Nozick [21] Appl' 96853Att0mey-Christel & Bean [52] U.S. Cl. ..55/384, 55/387, 206/18 [57]ABSTRACT 5 gig A capsule of a synthetic moisture-penneable material 0 re6 6 such as cellulose acetate contains a desiccant material v such ascalcium oxide and has an adhesive surface which is applied to theinterior of a container whereby [56] References C'ted the capsule isexposed to moisturein the container or UNITED STATES PATENTS in thecontents thereof but with the capsule attached I to an interiorcontainer wall to prevent the same from 2,475,241 1949 Hermansoflw beingcomminglecl with the contents of the container. 2,805,183 9/1957Higginsm; I

8/1961 Schifferley ..55/338 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENIEDuiRznmaI N VEN TOR.

JOHN s CULLEN ATTORNEYS DESICCANT CAPSULE AND PACKAGE EMBODYING THE SAMEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to desiccant devicesand particularly to a desiccant capsule and a package employing thesame.

It is well known in the packaging arts to include .in

packaged material a capsule of moisture permeable 1 SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The. present invention provides a capsule or similar moisturepermeable receptacle of desiccant material which is adapted to beattached to an interior wall of a container or package in such mannerthat it presents a moisture permeable face to the interior of thecontainer and the contents thereof but remains securely attached to suchinterior wall of the container when the contents of the container areremoved therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of aconventional metal can partly in cross section with one form of thedesiccant capsule of the present invention associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross sectional view of the capsule of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the capsule of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. -2, thecapsule shown herein by way of example comprises a cup-shaped flangedreceptacle of a cellulose acetate sheet material which is inherentlypermeable to moisture. A companioncupshaped member 11 telescopes snuglywithin receptacle 10 to complete the capsule structure. The capsule thusprovided contains calcium oxide or other similarly hygroscopic material.Upon exposure to moisture the calcium oxide is irreversibly converted tocalcium hydroxide.

When the capsule is assembled the bottom wall of member 11 is preferablyco-planar with the flange 12 of receptacle l0 and an adhesive sheet 13is applied across the bottom surfaces of member 11 and flange 12. Thesheet 13 may comprise simply a sheet of adhesive material or maycomprise a substrate having adhesive applied to its opposite surfaces.

- The adhesive employed is preferably of the pressuresensitive type andthe usual protective sheet 14 is applied to the exposed adhesive surfaceof sheet 13, to be removed in the usual manner when the capsule is readyfor application.

One preferred method of completing the combination of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein a conventional sheet metalcan 16 has a lid 17 with the capsule of FIGS. 2 and'3, after removal ofpropunctured during opening of the container tective sheet 14,adhesively attached to the bottom (interior) surface of lid 17. In thisinstance of use the capsule will be applied to lid 17 before the latteris secured to the body of can 16, such securement being in the usualmanner as generally indicated at 18 in FIG. 1.

0 The can and lid may also be of the type wherein the lid may be removedand replaced.

The desiccant means of the present invention may be employed with a widevariety of packaged products and in a variety of packages or containers.Products in which desiccant means are particularly useful are dehydratedcitrus fruit juices which take the form of a powder, other dehydratedfood products, vitamin pills and other pharmaceutical products, and manyothers. The desiccant not only prevents hydration of the packagedproduct but also removes final traces of moisture therefrom.

In FIG. 1 the contents of can 16 are indicated at 18, such contentsbeing usually inpowdered or granular form orin layer particles such aspills or pellets. Where desired the capsule'may be disposed directly inthe contents as by attaching the same to a side or bottom wall of thecontainer.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the contents of the containermay be poured or otherwise removed therefrom without any danger of thedesiccant capsule being dispensed with the contents or overlooked andlost therein. Also, the danger of the capsule being or dispensing of thecontents is minimized and the likelihood of the desiccant materialcoming into harmful contact with the packaged product is virtuallyeliminated.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawingsand described herein to illustrate the principles of the invention butit is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the broad spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A container for material which is to be kept in a relativelyanhydrous condition having in combination therewith a desiccant capsulecomprising a moisturepermeable cup-shaped part containing hygroscopicmaterial, a second cup-shaped part telescoped into the first cup-shapedpart with the side walls of the cupshaped parts in contact to completethe capsule with the bottom wall of the second cup-shaped part and theannular rim of the first cup-shaped part being substantially coplanar, adouble-faced adhesive sheet applied across the bottom wall of saidsecond cup-shaped part and the rim of said first cup-shaped part toretain the I parts in assembled relation and with'its opposite faceadhesively secured to an interior surface of said container.

2. A capsule according to claim -1 wherein said first cup-shaped parthas an outward annular flange at the rim thereof substantially coplanarwith the radial wall of said second cup-shaped part and with saidadhesive sheet applied across the outer surfaces of said flange and saidsecond cup-shaped part.

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2. A capsule according to claim 1 wherein said first cup-shaped part hasan outward annular flange at the rim thereof substantially coplanar withthe radial wall of said second cup-shaped part and with said adhesivesheet applied across the outer surfaces of said flange and said secondcup-shaped part.